Social Security continues to warn the public about ongoing scams that are targeting the personal information of Americans including Social Security numbers in an effort to defraud and steal money from Social Security beneficiaries. The Social Security Administration is urging the public to stay aware of and vigilant about fighting these types of scams.
We have reported previously about the phone call scam where people have reported receiving voicemail messaging indicating their Social Security number has been suspended for some type of activity, but scammers are also targeting people via mail.
Below was a recent alert issued by the Office of Inspector General (OIG) for Social Security:
The Social Security Administration (SSA) will not suspend or discontinue benefits because their offices are closed.
The Social Security Office of the Inspector General has received reports that Social Security beneficiaries have received letters through the U.S. Mail stating their payments will be suspended or discontinued unless they call a phone number referenced in the letter. Scammers may then mislead beneficiaries into providing personal information or payment via retail gift cards, wire transfers, internet currency, or by mailing cash, to maintain regular benefit payments during this period of COVID-19 office closures.
Things to Remember
Social Security will never:
- threaten you with benefit suspension, arrest, or other legal action unless you pay a fine or fee;
- promise a benefit increase or other assistance in exchange for payment;
- require payment by retail gift card, cash, wire transfer, internet currency, or prepaid debit card;
- demand secrecy from you in handling a Social Security-related problem; or
- send official letters or reports containing personally identifiable information via email.
If you believe you have been the target of one of these scams you need to contact the OIG and provide information about your experience. You can contact the OIG by visiting https://oig.ssa.gov.
